This budget is not shoestring. The average daily
cost includes accommodation, food, transportation, site entries and all
miscellaneous expenses for two people. Accommodation consisted of inexpensive
hotels, hostels or campsites. We averaged one restaurant meal per day
(the rest bought in grocery stores, deli shops, street vendors). We traveled
by bus, train, shared taxi, or hitch hiking. Other travelers could save
an additional 10-20% by staying outside of town, staying longer in one
location, or eating and sleeping at the cheapest places.

Turkmenistan is the cheapest of the "-stans."
Fuel is subsidized so taxis and air flights are inexpensive. You can
fly from one city to another for less than $3 or take a 9 hour taxi
ride for $10. Hotels are set at a tourist rate but sometimes negotiable.
Food is cheap and in Ashgabat you can eat first class for $4.